Another season of Bright Lights is coming to an end and I would like to thank everyone who participated in making our towns from Readsboro to Wardsboro look bright and welcoming these past several months:

My committee members whose hard work and creativity are unsurpassed including Ellie Roden who organizes the Bright Lights Craft Fair, WW Building Supply which always helps with the price of the LED lights, the town clerks and office managers who collect the driving map applications, Phil Gilpin Jr.who designed the map, Tamara Allen who did a yeoman’s job on our website, the DeerfieldValley News which always so generously helps with the publishing costs of the map, the schools that participate, the elves in the various towns like Kathy and Jim Martin in Dover, and, of course, the towns themselves who have supported this event in a multitude of ways.

So much support from so many that I am sure I have missed some and for that my sincere apologies.

It has been especially exciting each year to see more homes and businesses like Hillside Vending, 7-Eleven, The Dover Forge, the Wardsboro Country Store, Beyond Imagination and Chapman’s In-Town Antiques etc, joining our event. Their participation and enthusiasm keep Bright Lights growing and shining.

I am also pleased to announce that starting this season, the chamber of commerce will take on the lead for Bright Lights. As the event has grown, it has become evident that we could use their expertise, experience, and contacts to grow Bright Lights even more. And we will.

Most important, thank you to everyone in our communities who has told me how much they enjoy the lights. One of the biggest cheerleaders and always an extraordinary participant, Chris Cooke, has told me how his taxi clients are awestruck and even teary-eyed as they come in to our valley and see the lights. It doesn’t get any more worthwhile that that. I am honored to be part of such an experience.